I must take a minute here and sing Pete’s praises. This past semester he taught five classes at the college and did all his other administrative duties. And on the home front there was, as there always is, a lot to deal with. Fortunately, we did not have any earthquake damage (besides some cleanup), but since then we’ve gotten a great deal of snow.

He’s been plowing with our small Kubota tractor with a box plow on the back. It takes hours to deal. Very frustrating for him, especially since he’s had to go at it again after subsequent snowfalls. The good news is that our friend Gregory, who owns Saddle Up, has a rear mounted snow blower that he’s going to sell us. Pete says this is going to be much faster. And I suspect that he will no longer be pushing snow into piles.

Today, the first day of Pete’s vacation, and it was business as usual. This morning we had our regular breakfast meeting and conferred about our respective plans. He simply said “I’m going to plow.” He didn’t mention having student papers to read and grades to get in. He simply said that four word statement.

I then figured out what my plans were. Remember, we are joined at the hip and at the heart. We cleared off the table and then had at it. I stoked the fire, put stuff on the window ledge to take outside, then first took Tinni for a walk and then knocked the ice cycles off of him. Pete continued to plow. I then shoveled off the tack room stairs and the trucks and the upper quadrant picnic table (so that Ryder can keep tabs on the road situation), and Pete continued to plow. I then got Tyra ready for a short video shoot. Pete stopped plowing and took the video.

I cleaned the horse pen and Pete plowed. We were both keeping an eye on the time because I had strength training at 3 p.m. and he had strength training at 4 p.m. We got out on time and had our respective lessons. This was Pete’s first time working with Ben. I watched as Pete did a series of goblet squats – Ben was really impressed. As I later told Pete, first of all, all the work he’s been doing here has kept his level of fitness up there. And secondly, he must have had good weight lifting training in the past because he had such good form. Poor guy – when he works too long it is like the weight of the world is on his shoulders.

I am not a very easy person to live with. I am impatient, opinionated, willful, and uppity. Pete is the one who is easy to live with. I often think he got the better end of the deal. And today, I was absolutely sure that I am right. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, I’m always right.

It’s snowing again, meaning more plowing coming right up. He will get out there and do what needs to be done and not complain about it. Yes, I am a very lucky woman.

Next: 347.12/13/18: Another Conversation with The Tooth